Advanced Hygiene Specialist (Food Production Facilities)

Placements24; Polokwane; On-site; ZAR 540,000 - 720,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Professional development

Competitive salary

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an Advanced Hygiene Specialist to join our Polokwane, Limpopo operations. You will develop, implement, and monitor hygiene programs, conduct sanitation checks, manage chemical usage, and ensure compliance with HACCP, GMP and local health codes.

You will train staff, support audits, and stay current with food safety technologies. A 4+ year background in hygiene or QA in food manufacturing and a relevant Bachelor's degree are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Environmental Health, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years in a hygiene or quality assurance role within food manufacturing or processing.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMP and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience developing and implementing sanitation programs in a food production setting.
• Good understanding of cleaning chemicals and sanitizers.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and investigative skills.
• Proficiency in record-keeping and data analysis.
• Strong communication and training skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain hygiene and sanitation protocols for food production environments.
• Inspect production lines, equipment and facilities for compliance with hygiene standards.
• Monitor cleaning and sanitization effectiveness across production areas.
• Manage inventory and safe use of cleaning chemicals and sanitizers.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, GMP and local health codes.
• Investigate hygiene deviations and non-compliance.
• Train staff on hygiene best practices and allergen control.
• Maintain records of schedules, inspections, audits and training.
• Participate in audits related to food safety and hygiene.
• Stay updated on food hygiene tech and regulatory changes.
• Advise on facility design and equipment to enhance cleanability.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication skills

Training skills

Data analysis

Record keeping

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading player in the food production industry, is seeking an Advanced Hygiene Specialist to join their critical operations team in Polokwane, Limpopo. This role is paramount in ensuring the highest standards of food safety and hygiene are met throughout the production process. You will be responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring comprehensive hygiene programs, conducting rigorous sanitation checks, managing chemical usage, and ensuring compliance with all food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, SANS standards). This position demands extensive knowledge of foodborne pathogens, effective cleaning and sanitization techniques, and a proactive approach to risk management. You will be a key guardian of product integrity and consumer safety within our client's Polokwane facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain robust hygiene and sanitation protocols specific to food production environments.
• Conduct regular inspections of production lines, equipment, and facilities to ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.
• Monitor and verify the effectiveness of cleaning and sanitization processes for all production areas.
• Manage the inventory and safe application of cleaning chemicals and sanitizers.
• Ensure adherence to all relevant food safety regulations, including HACCP, GMP, and local health codes.
• Investigate and resolve any hygiene-related deviations or non-compliance issues promptly.
• Train production and sanitation staff on hygiene best practices, cross-contamination prevention, and allergen control.
• Maintain detailed records of cleaning schedules, inspections, audits, and training activities.
• Participate in internal and external audits related to food safety and hygiene.
• Stay current with advancements in food hygiene technology and regulatory changes.
• Advise on facility design and equipment modifications to enhance cleanability and hygiene.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Environmental Health, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in a hygiene or quality assurance role within the food manufacturing or processing industry.
• In-depth knowledge of food safety principles, HACCP, GMP, and relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing successful sanitation programs in a food production setting.
• Strong understanding of cleaning chemicals, sanitizers, and their effective application.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and investigative skills.
• Proficiency in record-keeping and data analysis.
• Strong communication and training skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced production environment in Polokwane, Limpopo.
• Must be detail-oriented and committed to upholding the highest standards of food safety.
• Valid driver’s license preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Opportunity to work for a leading food production company.
• Contribution to ensuring safe and high-quality food products for consumers.
• Professional development and continuous learning opportunities in food safety.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance.
• Work in a key role impacting the operational integrity of the Polokwane facility.